Horror movies have long been dismissed by critics and the Academy as being unworthy of serious consideration. However, over the past decade, a new breed of horror films has emerged that are pushing the boundaries of what we expect from the genre.
With the rise of "elevated" horror, which includes indie thrillers and international chillers that defy traditional Hollywood formulas, the genre is finally being taken seriously by mainstream audiences. Distributors like A24 and NEON have played a significant role in validating horror for a new generation, marketing their movies as prestige fare alongside more conventional titles.
This shift has led to an increase in awards buzz around horror films, with some even winning Oscars. However, the real question is not whether horror deserves recognition from the Academy but rather why it matters. Horror has always been built on excess and visual spectacle, which often makes it seem like a genre that's just waiting for validation.
But here's the thing: horror has already won. Its popularity endures, with box office numbers suggesting that horror films are breaking through to wider audiences. From "The Witch" to "It Follows," these movies have become indistinguishable from more mainstream dramas and thrillers.
What's more, A24 and NEON are producing innovative horror films that share similar themes and narratives with their awards-bait dramas. It's not a coincidence that some of their marketing efforts include pull quotes comparing the films to classics like "Silence of the Lambs." If an Oscar-winning thriller can be made from a genre-defining film, why not NEON's or A24's latest horror entries?
The answer lies in the viewers themselves. The fact that audiences are willing to spend their hard-earned cash on risk-taking filmmaking is all the validation they need. Whether it's "Weapons" with its over-the-top villain or "The Substance," a film that dared to be different, even if it fell short of expectations.
Ultimately, horror has always been about pushing boundaries and embracing fearlessness. No amount of prestige can change that. The real cultural impact of these films is evident in the countless Instagram carousels featuring Aunt Gladys from "Weapons" in cheap wigs and overdrawn red lipstick. That's a sign that horror has finally arrived, and it's here to stay.
In short, horror doesn't need awards or validation from critics or the Academy. Its popularity speaks for itself. And if you're still hung up on the idea of an Oscar win for "The Substance" or Amy Madigan's character, then maybe it's time to get over yourself. The real impact is in the viewers, who are embracing this new breed of horror with open arms.
With the rise of "elevated" horror, which includes indie thrillers and international chillers that defy traditional Hollywood formulas, the genre is finally being taken seriously by mainstream audiences. Distributors like A24 and NEON have played a significant role in validating horror for a new generation, marketing their movies as prestige fare alongside more conventional titles.
This shift has led to an increase in awards buzz around horror films, with some even winning Oscars. However, the real question is not whether horror deserves recognition from the Academy but rather why it matters. Horror has always been built on excess and visual spectacle, which often makes it seem like a genre that's just waiting for validation.
But here's the thing: horror has already won. Its popularity endures, with box office numbers suggesting that horror films are breaking through to wider audiences. From "The Witch" to "It Follows," these movies have become indistinguishable from more mainstream dramas and thrillers.
What's more, A24 and NEON are producing innovative horror films that share similar themes and narratives with their awards-bait dramas. It's not a coincidence that some of their marketing efforts include pull quotes comparing the films to classics like "Silence of the Lambs." If an Oscar-winning thriller can be made from a genre-defining film, why not NEON's or A24's latest horror entries?
The answer lies in the viewers themselves. The fact that audiences are willing to spend their hard-earned cash on risk-taking filmmaking is all the validation they need. Whether it's "Weapons" with its over-the-top villain or "The Substance," a film that dared to be different, even if it fell short of expectations.
Ultimately, horror has always been about pushing boundaries and embracing fearlessness. No amount of prestige can change that. The real cultural impact of these films is evident in the countless Instagram carousels featuring Aunt Gladys from "Weapons" in cheap wigs and overdrawn red lipstick. That's a sign that horror has finally arrived, and it's here to stay.
In short, horror doesn't need awards or validation from critics or the Academy. Its popularity speaks for itself. And if you're still hung up on the idea of an Oscar win for "The Substance" or Amy Madigan's character, then maybe it's time to get over yourself. The real impact is in the viewers, who are embracing this new breed of horror with open arms.
I mean, can you blame them? Horror movies have always been about getting that adrenaline rush and exploring the dark side of human nature 
. And it's not like they're all about gore and jump scares anymore - there's some real depth to this stuff 
. Those indie thrillers like "The Witch" and "It Follows" are actually kinda profound, you know? They're not just about scaring people; they're about making them feel uncomfortable and think about their own mortality 
. And the fact that A24 and NEON are producing these films and getting mainstream recognition is awesome 
. It's like, finally, horror is being taken seriously as an art form, you know? 
But yeah, at the end of the day, it's all about the fans - who are obsessed with this stuff and wouldn't have it any other way 
.
. Like, can't we just accept that people enjoy watching scary movies and leave it at that? These indie thrillers and chillers are giving traditional Hollywood a run for its money and that's what matters. And yeah, A24 and NEON are killing it with their marketing efforts - who wouldn't want to watch a movie compared to "Silence of the Lambs"? 
It's all about giving people what they want and not trying to fit into some narrow notion of what's considered "prestige cinema". And let's be real, those Instagram carousels featuring Aunt Gladys in cheap wigs are just too funny